Bullying

“Anyone who claims to be in the light, but hates his brother is still in the darkness” (1John 2:9)

What we see influences what we think and what we think influences what we become and what we do. 

Biblical examples are:

1.  Esau and Jacob-(Esau held a grudge against his brother Jacob-Genesis 27:41

2.  Joseph’s brothers-(Joseph was the youngest, they hated and bullied him, betrayed him and sold him into slavery to Egypt, Genesis 37:4)

Types and ways of bullying:

o   Computer Games

o   Social Media

o   In and out of the classroom

Physical Bullies- They are action-oriented. This type of bullying includes hitting or kicking the victim, or, taking or damaging the victim's property.

Verbal Bullies- They use words to hurt or humiliate another person. Verbal bullying includes name-calling, insulting, making racist comments and constant teasing. It is quick and to the point.

Relational or Relationship Bullies- They try to convince their peers to exclude or reject a certain person or people and cut the victims off from their social connections. This type of bullying is linked to verbal bullying and usually occurs when children (most often girls) spread rumors.

Reactive Victims straddle a fence of being a bully and or victim. They are often the most difficult to identify because at first glance they seem to be targets for other bullies. However, reactive victims often taunt bullies, and bully other people themselves. Most of the incidents are physical in nature. These victims are impulsive and react quickly to intentional and unintentional physical encounters

Ways to overcome it is to talk about it with your parents, value yourself and stand for what you believe, no matter what is being said about you. Bullying not only happens in schools and among children and teens, adults encounter this as well in various ways, including work and church.

Girls, have your parents talk to the principle and teachers. Parents, monitor your children. Remember, you were once their age.